Weather-proof jacketing for insulation



May 10, 1960 R. A. CHILDERS 2,936,259

WEATHER-PROOF' JACKETING FOR INSULATION Filed Jan. 24, 1956 I'NNENTOR ROBERT A. CHILDERS BY Wm.

ATTORNEY Robert A. Childers, Houston, Tex., assignor to Childers Manufacturing Company, of Texas Application January 24, 1956, Serial No. 560,93@ 6 Claims. (Cl. 154-44) Houston, Tex., a corporation This linvention relates to improvements in weatherproof jacketing for insulation, and more particularly to improved jacketing for weatherprooiing the insulation applied to exposed piping and the like of the type disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 476,318, tiled December 20, 1954 (now abandoned).

As explained therein, aluminum jacketing for protecting exposed insulation against the deleterious effects of weather, in the form of thin sheets of aluminum fabricated to widths of, say, four feet and sold in roll form, and applied as edge-lapped wrappings about the insulation to be protected, has more or less recently come into wide use. Mainly to provide strength and body and to eliminate waviness, the aluminum sheet is cross-crimped with L716 corrugations running across the sheet. To protect its inside surface from the corrosive effects of the insulation, the sheet is usually backed by a so-called moisture barrier which is attached by spot adhesive, said barrier preferably comprising a plain-surfaced laminated sheet of kraft paper whose laminations are bonded by a special kind of asphalt, i.e. high-melting point oxidized asphalt.

It is of course of great moment that the joints between the adjacent wrappings of the .jacketing be effectively sealed, because if these joints are not weather-tight, moisture can seep axially therethrough to the insulation to thereby reduce if not seriously impair its effectiveness. The danger of moisture seeping axially through a joint whoseunderlapping edge is cross-crimped is of course substantial, because the crimps or corrugations can form a multiplicity of small axial passages between the lapped surfaces. According to my aforesaid application, it was attempted to provide such an effectively sealed joint without sacrifice of the desirable cross-crimping feature, by terminating the corrugations short of the one edge of the sheet which is to form the underlapping edge of the wrappings. Here it was thought that the smooth-surfaced j underlapping edge of a wrapping would better seal with the smooth under-surface of the moisture barrier delining the companion overlapping edge, which latter is not cross-crimped as is the outer aluminum sheet.

However, while theoretically adequate, continuing experience with a joint construction according to my aforesaid application revealed that its overall effectiveness was less than expected, due in large measure to the difficulty in producingI a perfectly smooth edge zone in thin sheet aluminum otherwise provided with 9;/16 corrugations running crosswise thereof. This diliiculty arose from the practical impossibility to take up the waviness and even roughness in the edge zone of the sheet, caused by abrupt termination of the corrugations, with the result that the non-corrugated edge of the wrappings Was not true tothe companion overlapping edge and could be made true for the intended purpose only by further processingdesigned to uniformly roughen or pebble said edge, which materially increased production costs.

Stated broadly, a main object of the present invention is the provision of aluminum weatherproof jacketing for insulation of the type applied to exposed piping and the like, characterized by an edge structure which is such as to enable the formation of a waterand moisture-tight joint between adjacent wrappings of the jacketing, while at the same time retaining the advantages achieved by cross-crimping of the jacketing.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of aluminum sheet jacketing for weatherprooling exposed insulation used on piping and the like, which is cross-crimped from edgerto edge and is further characterized by edge-zone structure enabling the formation of an effectively sealed joint between adjacent wrappings of the jacketing.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of weatherproof jacketing as aforesaid having an edge structure which is such as admirably adapts it for use as the underlapping edge of a lapped joint between adjacent wrappings made from the jacketing.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of weatherproof jacketing for insulation as aforesaid whose edge structure is such as to enable the making of a positive weather-sealed joint between adjacent wrappings made from said jacketing, as by the use of a mastic applied between the overand under-lapping edges of the wrappings.

A further object of the invention is the provision of weatherproof jacketing for exposed insulation to be applied in the form of wrappings about the insulation,l which is characterized by an edge structure which facili-l tates the application of the wrappings to the insulation.

A still further object of the invention is the provisionV of weatherproof jacketing adapted to be applied as edgelapped wrappings about insulation to be protected as aforesaid, characterized by an edge structure which gives an automatic measure of the amount that adjacent wrappings fashioned from said jacketing are to be lapped, thus saving labor on the job, insuring proper lap, and eliminating waste of jacketing by preventing use of more than the amount of jacketing necessary to make the proper lap.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed detailed description, in which reference is had to the accompanying drawing illustrative of the improved jacketing construciton as herein proposed, in which- Fig. l is a broken-away perspective View illustrating jacketing according to the invention applied as wrappings to the insulation of exposed piping;

Fig. 2 is a broken-away view illustrating the manner of applying wrappings of the jacketing, the view further illustrating how the edge structure of one wrapping acts as an automatic measure of the proper lap to be made between Wrappings;

Fig. 3 is a broken-away plan view, on an enlarged scale,

of a portion of a sheet of aluminum jacketing provided with the improved underlapping edge structure according to the invention; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are sections taken on lines 4-4 and 5 5 respectively of Fig. 3.

in the drawings, reference numeral 10 (Fig. l) indieates adjacent wrappings of weather-proof jacketing applied to the insulation 11 of exposed piping generally indicated by the numeral 12. It will be noted that said wrappings 1l) are circumferentially lapped along their adjacent edges, and are moreover secured together along lapped edges as by straps 14.

As usual, the jacketing from which the wrappings -10'y are fashioned is made up in long lengths, of say, one or two hundred feet, and to a width of, say, four feet. Said jacketin g comprises an outer sheet 15 of thin sheet-alumi--` num-and preferably an under or backing sheet 16 extend- A ing coextensively with said outer sheet and providing Patented May 10, 196:10`

therefor a so-called moisture barrier which serves to protect the inner face of the aluminum sheet from Acorrosion due tothe chemical natureof the insulation. Such a moisture barrier may comprise two or more sheets of virgin kraft paper laminated by a film (or films) of highmelting oxidized asphalt, and it is usually secured to the inner face of the jacketing by spot-gluing, preferably at the factory. Jacketing as aforesaid is sufficiently flexible that it may be supplied in roll form and drawn off and severed to lengths required for an individual wrapping, which is the circumference of the insulation fi, plus a. small excess required to provide a longitudinal lap.

Preferably the outer aluminum sheet is crosscrimped; that is to say, itis corrugated transversely of its length with %6'corrugations 20 (Fig. 5) which of course extend longitudinally-in the final wrapping and serve to add vertical strength and rigidity to the outer wrapping sheet, eliminate .vaviness, resist denting, reduce glare etc. As distinguished from the jacketing according to my prior application Serial No. 476,318 aforesaid, the cross-crimps or corrugations 2d are extended the full width of said outer sheet i5, and hence they extend from edge to edge of the wrappings fashioned therefrom and thus across the edge portions of the wrappings which form the overlapping edge of the joints between adjacent wrappings.

ilt will be observed that, because the corrugations 2d of each underlapping edge have but spaced line contact with the-smooth under surface of the moisture barrier 16 of the companion overlapping edge, there is the strong possibility that weather and moisture will seep axially through the wrapping joints tothe enclosed insulation. However, such is positively prevented according to the invention through the provision of a multiplicity of spaced parallel ribs or undulations 22 which extend longitudinally along the edge zone of the sheet which in the final wrappings forms the underlapping edges of the joints between wrappings, and hence circumferentially of said wrappings as in Fig. 2. As best seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the circumferential ribs or undulations 22, preferably eight in number, are slightly spaced from one another so that in total they take up an approximately two-inch zone extending along the underlapping edge of the wrappings. `Preferably, the circumferential ribs 22 are formed in a rolling operation, which in effect superimposes the ribs on the corrugations 20. Thus, said ribs act to flatten the ridges of and to raise the valleys between corrugations along their lines of intersection therewith. in cutting across the corrugations 2h, in effect form a multiplicity of spaced, circumferentially extending dams which prevent axial seepage of water or moisture along the valleys of the corrugations 20 to the insulation enciosed within adjacent wrappings of the jacketing. rIhus, it will be seen that the invention makes possible the retention of the desirable cross-crimping feature, while at the same time it overcomes moisture seepage axially through the joints as was heretofore possible.

Since the circumferential ribs 22 are parallel to the straight end edge of the jacketing, and hence of wrappings fashioned therefrom, the circumferential ribbing feature provides an automatic measure ofthe proper amount of lap. Such will be seen from Fig. 2, which illustrates the ease with which a workman may apply a wrapping relatively to a previously applied adjacent wrapping, with assurance of a proper amount of lap, merely by using the circumferentially ribbed edge portion of the previously applied wrapping as a measure of the amount of the underedge which should be covered by a corresponding amount of the over-edge. By predetermining the proper amount of lap in this manner, labor on the job is saved and waste of jacketing caused by using more lap than necessary is j eliminated.

' From the above it will be appreciated that when two a'djacent wrappings are edge-lapped as indicated in Fig. 2, and thereupon nally banded as in Fig. l, the circumferential ribs 22 ofl each'underlapping edge engage and In other words, the ribs ,22,

indent to some degree the relatively softer material of the moisture barrier 16 of the overlapping edge of the next adjacent wrapping. Accordingly, axial seepage of moisture through the joint is effectively precluded. Should a positive weather seal be desired, such may be readily provided simply by applying a mastic either to the circumferentially ribbed underlapping edges or to the paper under-surfacing of the overlapping edges of the joints, the circumferential ribs 22, combining with the crimps or corrugations 2) to form small, rectangularly shaped depressions which are admirably suited to provide a hold on the so-applied mastic. By using the width of the circumferentially-ribbed edge portion or Zone of each applied wrapping as an index cr measure of the proper amount that theadjacent wrapping is to be lapped thereover, wrappings may be simply applied in properly overlapped relation without the use of measuring tools and without any waste in the'jacketing.

Accordingly, the above described and illustrated jacketing achieves the objectives of the invention outlined in the foregoing in effective and practical manner. However, as many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying 'drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

'i claim:

l. As an article of manufacture, a length of sheet jacketing adapted to be applied as a edge-lapped weatherproof wrapping on insulation used on exposed piping and the like, comprising an outer sheet of thin sheet aluminum, a paper-base moisture barrier extending coextensively with and secured to the under face of said outer sheet, said outer sheet only having crimps extending longitudinally from edge to edge of the wrapping and a plurality of spaced, parallel ribs applied to and extending -along one edge portion only of said outer sheet and in direction as to intersect said crimps, said edge portion having predetermined width corresponding to the desired amount of lap to be provided in the joints between( said wrapping and adjacent edge-lapped wrappings.

2. Sheet jacketing as set forth in claim 1, wherein the moisture barrier comprises laminations of virgin kraft paper bonded by an intermediate lamination of asphalt and adhesively secured by spots of adhesive to the under surface of said outer sheet. Y

3. A length of sheet jacketi'ng substantially as dened in claim 1, wherein said ribs project from the outer face of the aluminum sheet. f

4. Weather-sealing jacketing for insulation used on exposed piping and the like including a plurality of edgelapped wrappings extending about said insulation, said wrappings each comprising an outer sheet of thin sheet aluminum and a paper-base moisture barrier secured to the under surface of said sheet, the outer sheet only being provided with crimps which extend longitudinally from Y edge to edge ofthe wrapping, and joints between said wrappings each comprising an underlapping edge portion of one wrapping and an overlapping edge portion of the next adjacent wrapping, said underlapping edge portion being provided with a plurality of circumferential ribs projecting from a surface thereof and intersecting said longitudinal crimps, said ribs forming a plurality of spaced circumferential dams which tend to prevent seepage of moisture through the joints along the-valleys between the crests of said longitudinal crimps. y

5. A joint as set forth in claim 4, wherein the circumferentially ribbed, underlapping edge portion of the outer sheet of each said wrapping has predetermined width corresponding to the desired lap of the joints between said wrappings.

6. Weather-sealing jacketing substantially as dened in claim 4, wherein said ribs are formed in the outer sheet References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,060,328 Farley et al. Apr. 29, 1913 1,523,702 Moeller Jan. 20, 1925 1,838,242 Wilson Dec. ,29, 1931 2,088,400 Black July 27, 1937 2,640,004

Saun May 26, 1953 6 Chittck June 16, 1953 Rowe Mar. 29, 1955- `Ryan Nov. 15, 1955 Toulmn Feb. 7, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Oct. 25, 1937 France Mar. 23, 1931 `France Feb. 11, 1955 

1. AS AN ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE, A LENGTH OF SHEET JACKETING ADAPTED TO BE APPLIED AS A EDGE-LAPPED WEATHERPROOF WRAPPING ON INSULATION USED ON EXPOSED PIPING AND THE LIKE, COMPRISING AN OUTER SHEET OF THIN SHEET ALUMINUIM, A PAPER-BASE MOISTURE BARRIER EXTENDING COEXTENSIVELY WITH AND SECURED TO THE UNDER FACE OF SAID OUTER SHEET, SAID OUTER SHEET ONLY HAVING CRIMPS EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY FROM EDGE TO EDGE OF THE WRAPPING AND A PLURALITY OF SPACED, PARALLEL RIBS APPLIED TO AND EXTENDING ALONG ONE EDGE PORTION ONLY OF SAID OUTER SHEET AND IN DIRECTION AS TO INTERSECT SAID CRIMPS, SAID EDGE PORTION HAVING PREDETERMINED WIDTH CORRESPONDING TO THE DESIRED AMOUNT OF LAP TO BE PROVIDED IN THE JOINTS BETWEEN SAID WRAPPING AND ADJACENT EDGE-LAPPED WRAPPINGS. 